Building Communities
Changing Lives

February 2022

Dear Friends and Supporters,

February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black Americans across the nation, and especially in our own communities. This month, through the leadership of Carl Howell, Chief Program Officer, and our DEI Committee, we are thrilled to spotlight and recognize local black leaders who make our community a better place to live and work.

It is also the time of year where we ask for your help. Every three years, we conduct a Community Needs Assessment which helps shape and inform our strategic plan to meet the needs in our community. We would greatly appreciate it if you could kindly fill out the survey below and share it with your organizations so we may obtain the most information we can. We will publish and share our results of the Community Needs Assessment this coming summer.

Lastly, while we have a number of programs and service offerings such as tax preparation assistance through our VITA program and heating assistance through our LIHEAP program, we also have a fun and exciting event taking shape - the first ever Wicked Fun Corn Hole Tournament on March 25th, to help raise money for our Volunteer Center, which includes Mill City Mentors and our many senior programs such as Bone Builders and the Foster Grandparent Program. We hope you can join us for a fun day of play to raise money for a great cause.

Please see details below.

Until then, enjoy the unseasonably warm weather this week!

Gratefully,
February is Black History Month
We Celebrate Local Black Leaders of Excellence
During Black History Month this year, CTI will be publishing profile features of local Black leaders to celebrate #LowellBlackExcellence. Check out our Diversity and Inclusion page on our website regularly throughout the month as we hear from our leaders in their own words about their experiences, perspectives and wisdom as Black leaders in our local communities.
Nominated by Carl Howell
Francine Costin Nominated by
Diana Santana
Nominated by Carl Howell
Leonard Tshitenge Nominated by
Elizabeth A. Wando
Gordon R. Donkoh-Halm Nominated by Gifty Kitanye
Dr. Shannon Mokoro Nominated by
Elizabeth A. Wando
Nominated by Marta Bobinski
Nominated by
Carl Howell

#CommunityLeader #Leadership #Appreciation #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackLivesMatter #DEIatCTI #grateful #LowellBlackExcellence

Community Teamwork
Community Needs Assessment Survey
Community Teamwork is in the process of its new Community Needs Assessment. We are working to get as many survey respondents as possible and need your help.

Would you please consider responding to the link below and/or sharing with your Lowell and greater Lowell friends and networks?


This opportunity helps Community Teamwork generate our Community Needs Assessment for Greater Lowell, which provides qualitative and quantitative data on poverty in our region and can be used to help identify additional resources for the region.
Are you the Boss of the Toss?
Please Join Us!
Saturday, March 25, 2023 
1pm-5pm
(Indoors)
500 Potash Hill Road, Tyngsboro

Teams are made up of two people. May the best team WIN!

$80/Team - General Public

$100/Team - Day of Event Sign Up

Music, DJ, Games, Parking, Snack and Cash Bar

For more information, team tickets and sponsorships please visit
VITA IS COMING…..VITA IS COMING!!!

Can you believe it is nearly tax season?
Keep your eyes open for Community Teamwork’s Financial Education Center information on how to schedule an appointment for Free Tax Assistance through our VITA - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. VITA provides free tax prep to anyone qualifying for the Earned Income Tax Assistance Credit (EITC).

We are waiting for confirmation from the IRS on when the site will be officially open AND Eric Rosario and Jackyie Gonzalez, our VITA experts, are ready to help.
Fair Housing Program

Community Teamwork Introduces its new Fair Housing Program. Everyone is entitled to housing without discrimination. Discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, family status, disability, and source of income are all prohibited.

The Fair Housing Program offers free Fair Housing trainings (virtually or in-person). Fair Housing is housing without discrimination. Tenant and advocate trainings focus on rights, self-advocacy, and enforcement. Trainings for housing providers (landlords & property management) focus on rights and best practices. Every Thursday, the Fair Housing Program also hosts an open house, when questions can be answered virtually.


CONTACT THE COMMUNITY TEAMWORK FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM

Contact us at (978) 654-5736 or fairhousing@commteam.org OR



Accepting New Applications for Fuel Assistance 2022-2023
Electric and Gas prices have recently skyrocketed. Individuals and Families at most income levels are struggling to keep up with inflation and soaring food and energy prices. Fortunately, help with fuel costs is available to more families than may be realized.

Please see details below and/or visit our website to see if you or your loved ones qualify.


Calling all Housing Provider Partners
Community Teamwork is looking for 2 and 3 bedroom units in Lowell, Lawrence and surrounding towns.

Units must be deleaded. We can offer longer term leases. This is a special program and provides some extra benefits to the owners.

Please email your responses to Avi Glaser acf2022@commteam.org

This newsletter is sponsored by our Premier Partner, Enterprise Bank, who continues to support Community Teamwork's mission each and every day.

We appreciate all of our Sponsors whose continued generosity allows us to fulfill our mission.
There are ALWAYS Ways to Help
If you find yourself in a position to help, your contribution will aid our efforts on every front as we work together to defeat COVID-19, care for our clients and families in their hour of greatest need, and emerge stronger than ever. 

~ Let's “Share the Love” throughout February ~

SHARE, LIKE, LOVE our posts on Social Media and
Share the Love in your own posts and comments.